THIS PAPER IS AN EXAMINATION OF THE ORIGINS OF THE ISO 9000 SERIES OF QUALITY STANDARDS, INCLUDING HOW THEY ARE CURRENTLY APPLIED TO THE COMPANIES IN THE U.S. AND EUROPE. THIS PAPER ALSO INCLUDES A REVIEW OF THE TYPICAL QUALITY MANUAL TO SEE HOW IT ADDRESSES THE REQUIREMENTS OF ISO 9000 WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE SALIENT POINTS OF THE PROGRAM.
